Waves Audio Now Shipping IDX Intelligent Dynamics

Waves Audio is now shipping IDX Intelligent Dynamics, a smart energy enhancer plugin.

Waves IDX Intelligent Dynamics is a smart, frequency-dependent compressor designed to optimise your tracks' energy, delivering greater punch and focus. With just one main knob, you can instantly vitalise your mix, making it easier than ever to achieve a polished sound.

For optimal results, insert IDX at the beginning of a plugin chain and/or across multiple tracks. This will set a solid foundation on which to build the rest of the mix as IDX can be effectively utilised on a master bus. Whether your sounds feel flat or lack that extra punch, IDX intelligently optimises energy levels, applying precise processing where needed. Experience the impact you’ve been missing and elevate your mix to its peak performance.

Applying IDX across multiple tracks unlocks your entire mix’s full potential. While individual sounds may be good on their own, they can feel washed out within a mix. With Waves' IDX Intelligent Dynamics plugin, vocals come forward without compromising the crispness of drum transients, while basses become punchy and well-defined.

By using multiple detectors across the frequency range, IDX shapes the envelope of your tracks, providing an 'in your face' sound without sacrificing depth. IDX employs a smart algorithm that automatically identifies the busiest areas of the frequency range – those that consume energy without enhancing the tone of instruments or vocals. It then compresses them by using 'progressive attenuation' (unlike a traditional compressor, which uniformly reduces the signal RMS above a threshold). As a result, frequency ranges that define the track's key characteristics gain a distinct advantage and become more prominent.

Positioning IDX at the start of your plugin chain effectively compresses frequencies that contribute to harshness and boominess, reducing the need for EQ adjustments. Its smart compression algorithm also enhances the important 'good' frequencies, bringing them forward in the mix.

Users can control IDX's response speed with two modes: 'Hard' delivers a fast response, ideal for transient sounds like drums and percussive elements, or when extra punch is desired. 'Soft' provides a smoother, slower response, perfect for non-percussive sounds that need a more natural feel. 'Tilt' control adjusts the degree of high and low frequency compression. Turning it one way compresses the highs more, resulting in a darker tone. Turning it the other way compresses the lows more, resulting in a brighter sound.

Additionally, Waves' IDX Intelligent Dynamics includes a zero-latency version as well, making it an excellent tool for live applications. With just a few simple moves, IDX provides super-quick dynamic control over any input channel or group in your live mix.

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